Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return

Need more time to prepare your federal tax return? This page provides information on how to apply for an extension of time to file. Please be aware that an extension of time to file your return does not grant you any extension of time to pay your tax liability.

Extensions for Individuals

If you are not able to file your federal individual income tax return by the due date, you may be able to get an automatic 6-month extension of time to file. To do so, you must file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Income Tax Return  (51K) Adobe PDF, by the due date for filing your calendar year return (usually April 15) or fiscal year return.

Special rules may apply if you were:

You can also go to Filing Information in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax  (HTML page), for more information regarding the rules for automatic extensions and filing federal individual income tax returns.

Extensions for Corporations, Partnerships, REMICs, and Certain Trusts

Other Extension Forms